Comments on: Griefing people … for SCIENCE!!https://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/
MMOs and game designFri, 12 Dec 2014 22:24:23 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: Urban Regeneration, Goblin Style « Welcome to Spinksville!https://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-6459
Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:08:15 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-6459[…] admittedly, using twixt as your inspiration may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s taking a no holds barred […]
]]>By: Sympathy for a Griefer? | World of Matticushttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-2202
Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:01:56 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-2202[…] If you’ve ever wondered what happens when PhD meets MMO, here’s an interesting read for you. It’s a far cry from carebear Professor Syd, but I find this bit of research interesting just because it differs so much from my own outlook on the game world. A couple weeks ago, nola.com ran an article on Loyola professor David Meyers detailing his experience in the MMO City of Heroes / City of Villains. This article links to a draft of Meyers’ own academic paper on the subject, “Play and Punishment: The Sad and Curious Case of Twixt,” which is the most thorough treatment of the matter. Normally, I support any and all research about online games, but for some reason, this one pushes my buttons. I’m not the first blogger to comment on the matter. In fact, I think that many of my thoughts are in agreement with Spinks’ excellent article. […]
]]>By: Krosusshttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1965
Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:56:10 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1965Not saying I agree with this guy’s study or not. I simply found it interesting. You’re right about game design flaws or broken mechanics that players can exploit. And they will exploit.

I play a bright wizard in WAR. For months folks complained about an ability called Rain of Fire (an AOE ability). Used in conjunction with a few broken tactics it was simply lethal when multiple BWs stacked these — a game changer. It wasn’t in my rotation so I rarely used it. Despite all the clamor I chose not to use ad nauseum knowing what it could do. I caught some flack from friends but to me it wasn’t me actually playing well, rather I was using something that wasn’t working properly and winning because of that.

Many BWs relied on this spell and often that was all they’d use. It wasn’t banned by Mythic but was surely broken yet plenty of BWs spammed it to death. It’s been fixed but the other faction was screaming to high heaven about it — the player community crying out about something everyone knew wasn’t working as intended. Some folks take that road and justify it by what you said … it’s within the game and not labeled an exploit, so it’s okay.

]]>By: Longaschttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1954
Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:58:55 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1954Krosuss, every possible exploit and abuse of game mechanics is within the bounds of the game’s design. It shows a flaw in design, but people usually have some common sense and know that they are abusing them.

Especially when they start getting massive flak they should think about it.

This is when jerks engage dick-mode and even try to justify their behaviour by writing a research paper about it. Really, someone from his own university should rip this paper apart, it is a shame to academia.

]]>By: howtoloseyourlifetoanmmorpghttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1952
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:52:18 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1952I feel it’s just too late in the game to be studying or experimenting with this social system.

I don’t rightly know, but I also think it’s safe to assume studies by groups/analysts/individuals have already studied this aspect(maybe even to death).

I read his article and well … what can you say. He didn’t play the way others in game felt he should play. And in the end they shunned him from the community even though he stayed within the bounds of the game’s design.

I’ve never played CoX but I’m assuming it is primarily PvE by the fact that players would farm in the PvP zone rather than actually PvP. He tried to make them PvP and for the most part they didn’t like it. He beat them using a tactic frowned upon but still within the rules of the game. Whether it showed high level of skill the end result was: he won. That’s the point of the zone, right?

I’m sure every MMO has a few players that others do not like. Those that “need” on every loot drop even if it’s not for their class. Healers who don’t heal or rez players lying right at their feet. Players who always seem to beat other players (they must be hacking).

Was an interesting read and shows the diverse reactions players have responding to Twixt.

]]>By: spinkshttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1948
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:54:40 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1948That’s really interesting, it really shows that server/game customs grow that way for a reason.
]]>By: Zosohttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1947
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:38:21 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1947Well, the above wall of text might offer some insight into the peculiarities of City of Heroes, or might just be a load of drivel. It’s all fun and games…
]]>By: Killed in a smiling accident. » Blog Archive » If you don’t like their rules, whose would you use?https://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1946
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:31:38 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1946[…] City may cause an observer unfamiliar with City of Heroes to initially exclaim, quite naturally, “Oh the horror, forcing people to PvP in a PvP zone! Whatever next?” Why did people get so cross with Twixt doing nothing more than playing the game […]
]]>By: kyrileanhttps://spinksville.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/griefing-people-for-science/#comment-1945
Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:21:23 +0000http://spinksville.wordpress.com/?p=1792#comment-1945One could argue that the players were ruining the game for him. He constantly asked why heroes weren’t helping him. And the game’s premise seems to be built on heroes vs. villains which still makes no sense to me that they created that PvP zone into a safe haven…
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